The pandemic warning kept secret

Plus: making the difficult choice to stay childless and the timelessness of Casablanca [View in browser]( [Update your preferences]( [The Telegraph]( Monday March 30 2020 From The Editor By Chris Evans, Editor Find out what the Editor of The Telegraph thinks you would enjoy reading this week. Dear reader, One of the many questions raised by this pandemic is whether Britain was prepared enough. On Sunday, [The Telegraph reported exclusively]( that Britain had undertaken a major pandemic-readiness test, known as Exercise Cygnus, three years ago and that the NHS failed to pass it. Yet, the “terrifying” results of Cygnus were kept secret from the public, report Bill Gardner and Paul Nuki. In the UK, the lockdown has certainly changed our lives, but the public is finding ways of thriving in the face of adversity. Luke Mintz [meets the “Baby Zoomers”]( baby boomers for whom the pandemic has been the catalyst finally to fully embrace the online world for everything from delivering lectures to teaching dance classes. Finally, choosing whether or not to have children can be one of the biggest decisions a couple ever makes. Jackie Shannon Hollis chose not to, but it was a particularly difficult choice, made because she loved a man who did not want kids. [Writing for Stella]( she details her struggles with making that decision, but also how she has overcome them. And remember, you can always find the latest on the coronavirus pandemic on our [special homepage]( and in [our liveblog](. Chris Take out a Telegraph subscription, with access to all our articles and subscriber rewards, and get your first month free [Click here]( My Choices [A nurse conducting a drive-by test]( Ministers were informed by an exercise three years ago that Britain would be quickly overwhelmed by a severe outbreak and kept it secret. [Here's what they were told](. [Busy cafe terraces in Sweden]( In Sweden, life is continuing unchanged – but why isn't Stockholm following the world, and [is it the right approach]( [A graphic showing pensioners using selfie sticks and VR headsets]( [Meet the Baby Zoomers]( how older Britons are finally getting to grips with technology during the coronavirus crisis. (Free to read) [A still from the closing scene of Casablanca]( Casablanca's closing scene is cinema's greatest farewell. Tim Robey [explains what makes it so timeless]( in our new Armchair Art series. (Free to read) [Shannon Hollis and her husband in a woodland]( "I chose love over having children" – [Read how Jackie Shannon Hollis made peace]( with a decision she never thought she would have to make. What did you think? Let us know how we're doing using the feedback button below or tweet me [@chrisevans1](. Although I am unable to respond individually to all the emails I receive, I am grateful to you for sending them to me. [Send feedback](mailto:Totheeditor@telegraph.co.uk) If you have any thoughts or issues regarding this newsletter please visit our [help page]( which should help you to solve them. If that doesn't help you, please contact editorialnewsletters@telegraph.co.uk. We also welcome your feedback. See more Telegraph newsletters [Front Bench]( | [Cookbook]( | [Film]( | [You Are Not Alone]( We have sent you this email because you have either asked us to or because we think it will interest you. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, visit your account [here]( and update your preferences. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it by visiting the [account login page](. You can also see our Privacy Policy [here](. For any other questions, please visit our help page [here](. Any offers included in this email come with their own Terms and Conditions, which you can see by clicking on the offer link. We may withdraw offers without notice. Telegraph Media Group Limited or its group companies - 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT. Registered in England under No 451593.